Blackpool FC involved in Latvian dirty money investigation

May 31, 2016

Blackpool FC have released a statement regarding club President Mr Valeri Belokon, and his brother Vilori Belokon on their involvement in the banking scandal in Latvia.

Press reports have revealed that Baltic International Bank in Latvia, owned by Valeri Belokon and his brother Vilori, have been searched by Latvian special forces ‘Omega’, in relation to money laundering and criminal activity.

Blackpool’s official statement (snippet)

“The search follows a recent €1.1m fine on Baltic International Bank from Latvia’s financial regulator due to repeated violations of laws regarding money laundering, terrorist financing and customer due diligence.”

Blackpool also announced their termination of its funding from the Baltic International account, and that Valeri has declined to attend any board meetings for years.

http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-3130421.aspx

The club is in a state of crisis, which has seen them drop from the heights of the English Premier League to the foot end of Football Leagues lowest tier in just six years.

Fans have expressed their anger on Blackpool FC’s social media since hearing the news, placing the blame firmly on club Chairman Karl Oyston and his father Owen for the clubs demise in recent years.

They even went as far as editing his Wikipedia description.

In the past two years, fans have invaded the pitch, marched in the thousands and even flown an anti-Oyston aeroplane banner over Bloomfield Road in protest for the Chairman’s resignation.